August 20, 2021
Welcome to the Environmental Center (EC) Digest! Every two weeks, this little gem of digital media arrives in your inbox full of all things environmental, sustainable, socially responsible, and just plain "green".

Scroll down to check out:
  • Environmental Center happenings and chances to get involved
  • Community and campus events, initiatives, and opportunities
  • Jobs, internships, workshops, and trainings

And of course, our thought-provoking opening thoughts from EC students and staff. Enjoy!
The Cost of Delay

As many of you have seen, the IPCC released its most recent report. The findings are pretty dire, but not surprising to any of us who are concerned about global warming and climate change. Each time news like this comes out, I'm always curious what it will take to motivate leaders to act.

One of he challenges with transitioning our entire modern society and economies off fossil fuels is just how cheap we've become accustomed to the price of energy. Absurd memes on social media talk about how expensive gas is these days and blame the current politicians. But that price has been kept artificially low for as long as we've been consuming fossil fuels. The price has never included the social cost of carbon or the full price of environmental degradation.

Wildfires across the West, sea level rise, the spread of invasive species - all these issues and more will take money to combat. Millions, if not billions, of dollars. All those issues existed before the drastic uptick in greenhouse gasses over the past half-century, but they are a measurable amount worse now than they would have been with fewer greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere. Is a cheap gallon of gas worth an entire community lost to flood or wildfire? Now more than ever, citizens are starting to stand up and say: no.

Marty Pool
Assistant Director, Environmental Center
Environmental Center Happenings
Events, programs, and ways to help make a difference!
Interested in Joining the EC This Year? Let Us Know!

Fall semester is right around the corner. We're excited to meet a ton of new FLC students, but we know if you're receiving this EC Digest that you already know about us. This can be the year to get more involved!

Whether you're new to FLC, or you've been around for a while, if the EC sounds like something you want to be a part of, check out the ways you can get involved and sign-up today!

Or you can reach out to us directly, just email Marty, Assistant Director of the EC, at mlpool@fortlewis.edu.
Check out the EC's Weeks of Welcome Events!

Move-In Free Store
Come browse all the Free Store goodies and stock up on what you need for the school year - clothes, school supplies, housewares, are more! Save money and reduce your environmental footprint by snagging re-used items rather than buying new. Almost all items are FREE, with a handful of premium items auctioned off to fundraise for the program.
When: Tuesday, Aug. 31, from 10 AM to 3 PM
Where: North corner of Center of Southwest Studies north parking lot.

Thursday Garden Workdays!
Join the Environmental Center Growing Spaces crew in planting, weeding, and harvesting our fall vegetable crop at the Campus Garden- located just north of the Center of Southwest Studies parking lot! Bring water and wear clothes that are comfortable for gardening.
When: Thursday, Sept. 2, and Thursday Sept. 9; from 1 to 2 PM
Where: Environmental Center Campus Garden - Northwest corner of Center of Southwest Studies north parking lot.

Food Forest Fridays!
Join the Environmental Center Growing Spaces crew in harvesting fruit and caretaking our Food Forest Orchard- located next to Pine Hall (Adventure Education building.) Bring water and wear clothes that are comfortable for gardening.
When: Friday, Sept. 3, and Friday Sept. 10; from 12 to 2 PM
Where: Environmental Center Orchard/Food Forest by Pine Hall
Community Events and Happenings
What's Going On at FLC and in Our Local Community
Table to Farm Partners with the City of Durango to Provide Composting Service!

The City of Durango has outlined a target goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80% before the year 2050. There is also a 30% greenhouse gas reduction goal by the interim year, 2030. Table to Farm Compost's partnership with the city will bring these goals to fruition. Removing food waste from the landfill reduces methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas. In the coming months, Table to Farm will be working the with city to recruit new subscribers, and streamlining our educational outreach so composting becomes easy and second nature to our Durango city residents.

Read more about the partnership from in this Durango Herald article.
Share Your Thoughts on the City of Durango Sustainability Plan

In May 2020, a Sustainability Working Group comprised of representatives from local stakeholder organizations (including the FLC Environmental Center) and members of existing Boards and Commissions was formed to guide the Sustainability Plan process. The time has come to gather broader community input, and the City wants to hear from you! Share your feedback on various sectors of the plan at workshops:

All sessions can be found at DurangoGov.com/Zoom starting at 5:30 PM:
  • 08/24: Water
  • 08/31: Energy
  • 09/14: Transportation & Land Use
  • 09/23: Natural Systems

Learn more about the plan and how you can provide your input at the City of Durango Sustainability website.
Volunteers Needed to Protect Ice Lakes!

With the anticipation of the SJNF re-opening the Ice Lakes area on September 16, San Juan Mountains Association (SJMA) is looking for possible volunteers for the Ice Lakes Educational Basecamp. Volunteer presence to share the message of hiker safety, staying on the trail, as well as all "Leave No Trace" principles, will be more important than ever due to the nature of the fire-damaged landscape.

Contact Erica at etucker@sjma.org if you would like to help!
Give Your Input on How Our Forests Should Be Managed

As their name implies, Forest Management plans outline how the US Forest Service manages YOUR public lands. Have some thoughts, concerns or insights about the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests? Submit them today!

More information and instructions at the USFS website. Or you can also connect with a local advocacy organization to amplify your voice! Not sure who's out there? Check out the Sustainability Alliance for Southwest Colorado website for information on non-profits in the area.
Visit the Ohana Kuleana Community Garden Open House

Community are invited to come get to know the Ohana Kuleana gardeners. Learn tips and tricks and discuss shared challenges in trying to grow food in our high-altitude mountain climate. Garden stand sale and live entertainment!

When: Saturday, Aug. 21 from 9 AM to 12 noon.
Where: Ohana Kuleana garden - 30th St. and E. 6th Ave. Durango, CO


Got Extra Fruit on Your Tree? List It!

Southwest Colorado is FULL of fruit trees, which means that tree owners often end up with unharvested fruit going to waste and attracting bears. It's not too early to list your tree today on the Good Food Collective Fruit Tree Registry so that fruit-loving community members can contact you to schedule a time to come help harvest! If your fruit isn't ripe yet, you can indicate the estimated date that fruit will be available. Help reduce food waste, save bears, and feed community!

Questions? Learn more about our Gleaning Program by clicking below! Or give them a call at (970) 403-5347 or email info@goodfoodcollective.org

August Green Drinks

Join Green Drinks (in person!) on Thursday, August 26 at 11th Street Station, from 5 to 7 PM. This month, the EC is hosting along with Manna Soup Kitchen. Come learn more about what our organizations have to offer, and chat with folks in our community who care about environmental and sustainability just like you do!
Opportunities
Jobs, Scholarships, Internships, and more!
Outdoor Alliances is hiring for two positions

Outdoor Alliance unites the voices of outdoor enthusiasts to conserve public lands and ensure those lands are managed in a way that embraces the human-powered experience. They are hiring for a Communications Specialist and a Policy Associated.

Applications due Sept. 5

Learn more and apply at the Outdoor Alliance website.
The City of Durango is hiring a sustainability intern!

The Sustainability Intern will primarily assist with gathering data, submitting information and conducting outreach associated with the city’s application for LEED for Cities designation, as well as help with other projects including updating the city’s greenhouse gas emissions inventory, developing outreach materials for the sustainability program and participating in sustainability program events. The intern will gain valuable experience in local government and sustainability work.

Applications due ASAP!

For more information and to apply, visit the City of Durango Job portal and search for "Sustainability Intern"
Be Sure to Share Opportunities with Us!

Hey there campus and community organizations! We pride the EC Digest in being an excellent resource for students and community members looking for jobs, internships, and other opportunities in this field. We believe in the power of strong social networks to share this important information.

Know of an opportunity? Be sure to email it to Marty Pool, EC Assistant Director, at mlpool@fortlewis.edu
What We're Diggin'
News and Inspiration from Our Community and Beyond
  • Despite the scary warnings for our climate, there are some hopeful takeaways from the IPCC report - check them out on this episode of Short Wave.
Environmental Center | Fort Lewis College | 970-247-7676 | envcenter@fortlewis.edu